Many liquor brands that had disappeared from shelves over the past five years are making a comeback in Andhra Pradesh, as per a report in TOI.
With chief minister-designate N. Chandrababu Naidu signaling that one of the first policies to be revised in the state will be the excise policy, the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) has begun placing orders for popular liquor brands.
Continue Exploring: Tasmac unveils new budget-friendly brandy ‘Veeran’, plans to introduce 12 more affordable liquor brands
Impact of Model Code of Conduct on Liquor Supply
Although some whiskey and beer brands returned just days before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was implemented, most brands remained unavailable due to the previous YSRCP government halting payments to suppliers, including major alcohol beverage companies like AB InBev, Diageo, United Breweries, and United Spirits.
Instead of clearing the pending dues after the supply stoppage, the APSBCL began placing orders with lesser-known companies to supply liquor.
Opposition parties accused the YSRCP government of orchestrating an “organized scam” by bringing retail outlets under the control of the APSBCL.
They also claimed that most of the distilleries in the state were taken over by the proxies of former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Continue Exploring: Haryana cabinet approves new excise policy for 2024-25 with increased duties, implements QR code tracking for imported liquor